Points requirement goes down to 67 points! If you are living in the UK get your FREE assessment now!

Introduction

Canada's points score requirement was reduced from 75 to 67 points on 18 September 2003. This means a considerable increase in the number of people who meet the Canada visa requirement for the Canadian skilled worker category. The previous requirement of 75 points from 28 June 2002 meant that even most highly qualified people did not gain enough points. In addition, changes to Canadian immigration law in 2008 affect which occupations are eligible for skilled immigration.

Overview of Changes

The overall Canada visa requirement has been reduced to 67 points. This will greatly increase the number of people who can come under the skilled worker immigration category. Moving to Canada has become easier in this sense.

This is the most popular visa category for an immigration to Canada. If you gain at least sixty-seven points, and can show that you can successfully establish yourself in Canada and have skills in an eligible occupation, it is usually possible to meet the Canadian visa requirement in order to immigrate to Canada under this Scheme.

Recent changes to Canadian immigration law affect applications made on or after 27 February, 2008. To be eligible for processing, you must either:

have a job offer with an eligible employer

have been legally residing in Canada for at least one year as a temporary foreign worker or an international student

As of 5 November 2011, Canadian Citizenship and Immigration will accept a total of 1,000 applications from international students who have completed at least two years of study towards a PhD and or who graduated from a Canadian PhD program in the 12 months before the date their application is received.

Factor 1: Education - maximum 25 points

University Degrees

PhD, or Master's, AND at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study

25

Two or more university degrees at the Bachelor's level AND at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study

22

A two-year university degree at the Bachelor's level AND at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study

20

A one-year university degree at the Bachelor's level AND at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study

15

Trade or Non-university Certificate or Diploma

A three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study

22

A two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study

20

A one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study

15

A one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study

12

Secondary School Educational Credential

5

Factor 2: English and French language ability - maximum 24

If you are fluent in both official languages English and French you will be awarded 24 points. If not, you must firstly decide which language you are more fluent in. This will be your "first official language". You can gain up to 16 points for the first official language, and up to 8 points for the second official language. Your points score will be based on your ability to read, write, listen to, and speak English and French. The definition and table are below:

Skill Level

Criteria

High-proficiency

You can communicate effectively in most community and workplace situations. You are fluent and can speak, listen, read and write the language very well.

Moderate proficiency

You can communicate in this language and can make yourself understood in most situations. You speak, listen, read and write the language well.

Basic or no proficiency

You have little ability in the language and have difficulty communicating in this language.

Factor 3: Work experience - maximum 21 points

The Canada immigration points system wants individuals with at least one year of full time experience in the last ten years in a management or professional or highly skilled occupation. These are listed as Skill Type O, Skill Type A or Skill Type B. You can check that you meet the Canada visa requirements by doing the following:

Look at the list of occupations (noc) that meet the requirements of the skilled worker category. Then make a note of the four digit code next to your occupation.

You must make sure that your work experience matches that stated in the NOC. You do not have to meet the "employment requirements" section of the particular job listed on NOC.

You may need to look at a number of different occupations to find one that matches your work experience. If your occupation does not come under skill level O, A or B or your experience did not occur in the last ten years your application will be refused.

Once you have confirmed that you meet the above requirements, you can now estimate your points score. You are granted 15 points for one year of work experience and two points for each further year up to a maximum of 21 points.

Years of experience

1

2

3

4+

Points

15

17

19

21

Factor 4: Age - maximum 10 points

Your points score is calculated based on your age on submission of the application:

Age

Points Score

16 or under

0

17

2

18

4

19

6

20

8

21-49

10

50

8

51

6

52

4

53

2

54 and over

0

Factor 5: Arranged employment (maximum 10 points)

You will gain 10 points in the Canada immigration points system if you have a job offer approved by Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) as a job where it will be difficult to find someone to fill the vacancy from the resident labour market. You must be able to do the job, and meet the educational and, where relevant, licensing and regulatory requirements for the job.

You should note that it is the employer who applies to HRDC and not yourself. You may also gain the ten points in some circumstances if you are already in employment in Canada.

HRDC-confirmed permanent offer of employment

10

You are in Canada holding a temporary work permit and can show the following:

Your employment is validated by HRDC, including sectoral confirmations

10

Your employment is exempt from HRDC validation under international agreements (e.g., NAFTA) or is of significant benefit to Canada (i.e., intra-company transferee)

10

Factor6: Adaptability (maximum 10 points)

You can receive a maximum of 10 points based on any combination of the elements listed below: